Dominant Ninth Suspended 4th Chord

The Dominant Ninth Suspended 4th Chord (or Dominant 9sus4) is built like the Dominant 7sus4, but with the addition of a major ninth. The notes are: root, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, minor seventh, and major ninth. This chord combines the 'suspended' and ambiguous sound of the perfect fourth with the richness and velvety color of the major ninth. The result is a dense, sophisticated, and 'jazzy' sound, which creates less aggressive tension than a 'standard' Dominant 9, but with a strong and clear tendency to resolve. It is a very present chord in jazz, funk, and R&B, often resolving to a Dominant 9 or Dominant 7, and then to the I degree, offering a full and layered harmonic experience.

Common Progressions

• V9sus4 - V9 - I (or V9sus4 - V7 - I): a classic and refined resolution, where the suspension resolves to the 'normal' dominant chord before leading to the I degree
• ii - V9sus4 - I (the V9sus4 acts as an extended and 'softer' dominant, giving a richer and more enveloping sound to the standard jazz progression)
• Frequently used in blues and fusion progressions to add color, ambiguity, and a sense of 'groove' to the dominant.